DAVID MOYES confirmed today that talks have finally started over a new long term contract.

The Blues boss flew back to Britain to meet chairman Bill Kenwright after Saturday’s opening pre-season fixture in Switzerland.

The pair met yesterday and Moyes confirmed this morning: “We’ve started talks and we’re hoping things will be wrapped up quickly.”

The news will give a huge lift to Blues fans.

The manager has just one year left on his existing Goodison deal and supporters were becoming increasingly nervous at the apparent lack of progress.

There had been suggestions that Moyes was waiting for evidence of transfer funding before committing himself, but while he refused to comment on transfer policy, fans can be reassured that talks have now started and no problems are anticipated.

The news is a signal that Moyes is now in a position to start adding to his squad, and he confirmed that Switzerland’s Euro 2008 right-back, Stephan Lichtsteiner, is a potential recruit.

The defender would cost a fee in the region of £300,000 and would offer a new defensive option while Tony Hibbert recovers from surgery.

The 24-year-old currently plays for French side Lille and played all three games for his country at the European Championships, where he kept new Anfield full-back Philipp Degen on the sidelines.

He rose to prominence during the 2001/02 season at Grasshoppers, becoming an established member of the first team a year later and helping the club to the Swiss league title.

Grasshoppers were unable to hold onto him and in the summer of 2005 he completed a move to Lille, where he appeared in two Champions League campaigns.

Tall for a right-back, he can also operate in the centre of defence or further forward in midfield.